Security pouch for holding a mobile device and blocking electronic signals

ABSTRACT

Provided is a pouch for covering a mobile device to block electronic signals and/or provide and antibacterial function. In one example, a pouch includes a shield configured to envelope a device, a covering configured to envelope the shield, and a seal configured to close the shield and covering to fully encase a mobile device to prevent electronic signals from reaching the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile devices have never been so indispensible in human life and, for the same reason, have posed a number of new concerns. Recently it has been brought to public attention that some high end mobile devices are able to track and record their users' locations through Wi-Fi network, even while these devices are powered off. Examples of such devices include but are not limited to Apple's iPhone® and iPad®, Google's Android® Motorola® phones, RIM's Blackberry™ phones, Samsung's Galaxy™ phones, Microsoft's Windows®, and other phones. This has posed serious concerns of intrusion to privacy and security. For example, if the device is lost or stolen, it is possible for anyone having access to the device to obtain detailed information about where the user has been.

Furthermore, the alleged solution of turning off the tracking function is not necessarily reassuring. It must be noted that the makers of above high end mobile devices did not give consumers any notice regarding the tracking and recording of user location data. Thus, it raises the question whether turning off the tracking function really disables the tracking or it is merely a marketing technique to soothe fears. It is also dubious whether the mobile device makers have other applications of Wi-Fi network technology that are not made public and yet to be discovered. Therefore, it is desirable to have a physics-based solution that is easy to operate and reassures the tracking is disabled.

In addition, a mobile device is one of the most often touched devices and imposes a notable risk to the user's health, in view of the threats of viral diseases caused by infections. Mobile devices carry germs, viruses and bacteria. At the same time, they are usually held by hands and close to the user's ears, face, and mouth. Yet, the market has not seen a device that is portable, convenient to use, and has an appealing appearance for everyday carrying. Therefore, a simple, convenient and affordable solution is needed for sanitizing a mobile device.

Hence, it is desirable to have a solution that solves both of the above problems. As will be seen, the invention provides such a solution in an elegant manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the open and closed position of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another illustration of the above embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a pouch for holding a mobile device, shielding it from electronic signals and/or sanitizing the device. There are various embodiments and examples possible, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that, given this disclosure, many embodiments and examples may be configured within the invention. The examples included herein are intended as exemplary, and in no way limit the invention, but are provided for illustration and understanding.

In one example, a compartment wall of a pouch includes at least two layers. The inner layer may be a shield made from a highly electrically conductive material, or other material that serves to block electronic signals, such as for example electromagnetic and/or radio frequency (RF) signals. The outer layer may be a covering made from a commonly used fabric, such as one of cloth, leather, and vinyl. When the pouch is closed, the shield closes and is sealed and thereby blocks electronic signals from reaching the mobile device encased inside the shield. Furthermore, the shield may be made from a loaded silver material and can then server to sanitize the mobile device by eliminating bacteria. As a result, a pouch configured according to the invention may be configured to provide a portable, effective and affordable solution to prevent a mobile device from tracking its user's location and at the same time sanitizing the device.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section view of one embodiment of a security pouch 100 for holding and encasing a mobile device 102. The pouch includes a shield 104, a covering 106 configured to envelope the shield, and a seal. The shield is made of a material that has high electrical conductivity, and therefore is capable of shielding electromagnetic fields. Examples of such material include but are not limited to gold, silver, zinc, copper and nickel. When the shield is sealed, a mobile device held in the shield is effectively blocked from sending or receiving electronic signals. In particular, the shield blocks RF signals from the Wi-Fi network, thereby stopping any mobile device from pinging revealing for its location. As a result, the device is disabled from tracking its location.

FIG. 2 shows the open and closed position of the security pouch 200 for holding and encasing a mobile device 202. A seal 206 is configured to close the shield and covering to fully encase a mobile device to prevent electronic signals from reaching the device. The seal may be made from a magnetic strip with half of it being magnet 208 and the other half being a magnetic metal 210, such as iron, steel, and nickel. The seal may also be a zipper, snap-close strip, or other well known closure device that may be used to seal closed a pouch configured with the shielding material.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-section view of another embodiment, the security pouch 300 includes three layers: an inner lining 306, a shield 308, and a covering 310. The shield is further enveloped by the inner lining, which protects the shield from stains, wearing and tearing.

FIG. 4 is a general view of the three layers that make up a security pouch of the above embodiment. The three layers include an inner lining 402, a shield 404, and a covering 406.

In yet another embodiment, the shield is made from a material that is capable of eliminating bacteria. One example of such material is silver. Silver can effectively eliminate 99.9% of bacteria in less than one hour of exposure and can inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi. Another example of such material is a fabric that contains silver fiber. This fabric is made from blending silver fiber with other fibers, such as cotton, polyester, or wool. As result, when a mobile device is encased and in direct contact with the shield, the silver sanitizes the device. Further, because silver has high conductivity, both of the above materials may block electronic signals and disable a mobile device's tracking function.

Those skilled in the art will understand that different combinations and permutations of different layers may be used to effect the ultimate goal of enveloping a device in the shield material, whether there are intermediary layers used for different reasons. For example, a pouch may include an outer lining, and/or an inner lining, where the outer lining allows for a user to hold the pouch without contacting the lining, and the inner lining allows the device to be held without directly contacting the shield material. In another example, the shield may actually contact the device in order to allow for anti-bacterial or other affects to take place. The invention, however, is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, and also possible future claims and their equivalents. 

1. A pouch for holding a mobile device, comprising: a shield configured to envelope a device; a covering configured to envelope the shield; and a seal configured to close the shield and covering to fully encase a mobile device to prevent electronic signals from reaching the device.
 2. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein a mobile device is blocked from RF signals and stopped from pingping revealing its location.
 3. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shield is made from either silver, zinc, copper or nickel.
 4. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shield is made from loaded material silver to disinfect a mobile device as well as block electrical signals while encased within the pouch.
 5. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the shield is made from blending silver fiber and other fibers, such as either cotton, polyester, and wool, in order to disinfect a mobile device as well as block electrical signals while encased within the pouch.
 6. A pouch according to claim 1, wherein the seal is made from a magnetic strip.
 7. A pouch for holding a mobile device, comprising: an inner lining configured to envelope a mobile device; a shield configured to envelope the inner lining; a covering configured to envelope the shield; and a seal configured to close the shield and covering to fully encase a mobile device to prevent electronic signals from reaching the device.
 8. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein a mobile device is blocked from RF signals and stopped from pinging revealing its location.
 9. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein the shield is made either silver, zinc, copper or nickel.
 10. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein the shield is made from one of silver to disinfect a mobile device as well as block electrical signals while encased within the pouch.
 11. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein the shield is made from blending silver fiber and other fibers, such as one of cotton, polyester, and wool, to disinfect a mobile device as well as block electrical signals while encased within the pouch.
 12. A pouch according to claim 7, wherein the seal is made from a magnetic strip. 